Month: December 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may seem to have the energy of a superhero as she flies around the world at what seems like the speed of light.

A quick look at her last five days finds the Secretary in Paris on Friday, Afghanistan on Saturday, Japan on Sunday, Mongolia on Monday and in Vietnam Tuesday. At each location Secretary Clinton has done pretty vigorous diplomatic work on the future of Syria, Afghanistan, and America’s relationship with Asia.

But Clinton proved she was all too human at the end of her speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi on Tuesday, when she began coughing uncontrollably.

“So this scholarship program is exactly what we need. And I’ve been talking all day, so excuse me,” she said smiling, as she stopped to take a drink of water.

It didn’t help. So Clinton, who is known for her sense of humor, made a joke about the situation before ending her remarks slightly early.

“We want to hear from all of you about what more we can do together. And at the risk of coughing any longer, I just want to say thank you, and let’s get to work,” Clinton said as the crowd laughed.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who canceled an overseas trip this week due to a stomach virus, suffered a concussion after she fainted, the State Department said Saturday.

Clinton, who has said she plans to step down shortly, fainted after she became dehydrated due to the virus, the department said in a statement. She is recovering at home and being monitored by doctors.

“She will continue to work from home next week, staying in regular contact with department and other officials. She is looking forward to being back in the office soon,” the statement said.

No other information was provided and a spokesman for the department declined to comment.

Mother and Child Reunion: Eva Ruiz-Gomez embraces her son, whom the Weekly isn’t identifying. The boy says he doesn’t intend to comply with an order to spend time with his father.

THE PEOPLE V. EVA RUIZ-GOMEZ

Eva Ruiz-Gomez steps through the double doors of Courtroom 13 at the Monterey County Superior Courthouse, her long, dark hair pulled back from her face, and asks for a phone.

“I need a phone. I have to call his soccer coach and find out what time his game is tomorrow. I need a phone. I need a phone,” she says, one hand pressed flat across her stomach, her voice increasingly frantic. “Can someone please let me use their phone?”

She is petite and pretty, with high cheekbones and dark eyes, wearing low-heeled pumps, a conservative pantsuit and a simple strand of pearls around her neck. Someone steps forward to hand her a cellphone – it’s one of the dozens of supporters waiting while Judge Susan Matcham holds a closed hearing with Ruiz-Gomez’ teenage son, the boy with the soccer game.